The busy Davies has been prepping for the April release of Americana, his first album in nearly a decade. He worked with members of the Jayhawks on the project, which is the first in a two-album series focusing on his love-hate relationship with the U.S. Over the years, he's scored eight Top 40 Billboard albums and seven Top 20 hit songs with the Kinks, but also suffered through a 1965 stateside touring ban and was shot by a mugger on a New Orleans street corner in 2004.

Davies had already announced plans for a long-awaited Kinks reunion, another book and a musical before officially becoming Sir Ray. “Initially I felt a mixture of surprise, humility, joy and a bit embarrassed," he said of the honor. "But after thinking about it, I accept this for my family and fans – as well as everyone who has inspired me to write.”